Nuclear subs 'out of Aussie reach' says US Ambassador

AUSTRALIA is a long way off being capable of running nuclear submarines, US Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich says.

Some Coalition frontbenchers are reported to have spoken to US officials about replacing the navy's diesel fleet with nuclear-powered submarines.

The coalition members apparently keen on the strategy are not named in the reports by Fairfax Media.

Mr Bleich says the idea surfaces every now and again but it's not on the table in the immediate future.

"It's an idea to speculate about but it's so far away from being a serious policy consideration," he told Sky News this morning.

"Politically, there hasn't been a real momentum for development of a nuclear energy program at all, let alone nuclear submarines, in Australia."

Australia has in the past found it difficult to find submarines that meet the needs of its navy. The range at which its submarines must operate make most traditional diesel-powered submarines unsuitable as they are generally built for the confined waters of Europe.

This is why Australia designed and built its own submarines, the Collins Class, in the 1990s.

Without necessary nuclear expertise and infrastructure in place, it would be difficult to maintain a defence program involving nuclear subs, the Ambassador said.

It was up to Australia, not the United States, to start any conversation about looking into alternative nuclear technologies.

But he said if Australia were to express interest in developing a nuclear program, the US would be open to dialogue.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be in Perth this week for the annual Australia-US Ministerial (AUSMIN) talks.